What Carb for a 1952, 74" Panhead?

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BastardBoy
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What Carb for a 1952, 74" Panhead?

#1

Post by BastardBoy »

I rebuilding a 1952 Panhead. The carb it came with is a Mikuni VM38-21, this is listed as a snowmobile carb? I'm thinking It should be replaced? I am looking for a new dependable carb for this bike. Any suggestions?

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Re: What Carb for a 1952, 74" Panhead?

#2

Post by steinauge »

Linkert M74B if you have extra money to spend.Otherwise the Mikuni,if jetted properly and free of airleaks will work just fine.I am currently running a 38 Mikuni on a pan and a big flathead with no problems.
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Re: What Carb for a 1952, 74" Panhead?

#3

Post by john HD »

i ran a modern CV carb off a late model big twin for years with excellent results (cheap and plentiful).

currently i run a M74 B for originality sake and found i have more top end than the CV. i believe this is due to the fact my bike never created enough vaccum to fully open the slide on the CV.

i am very happy with my original carb equipped with cotten's float and the stock air cleaner.

one or two kicks hot or cold.

john
henriksonne
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Re: What Carb for a 1952, 74" Panhead?

#4

Post by henriksonne »

I have decided to run a CV on my 61" panhead, can anyone tell which size jets I should start out with?
Do you think I will have problems with low vacuum, hence the fact it´s a 61"

Thanks
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Re: What Carb for a 1952, 74" Panhead?

#5

Post by john HD »

henrik

you will probably really like the carb. i did.

start with the stock main jet. i think it is a 185.

the pilot jet is the one you will need to tinker with. try something in the high 40's.

i seem to recall i had a 47 or a 48 in my FL. the idle screw needs to be around 1 1/2 turns out, if you go much over or under that you need to change the pilot jet accordingly.

john
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Re: What Carb for a 1952, 74" Panhead?

#6

Post by Panacea »

I'm useing a CV carb on my 84" pan. I found She runs and starts good with a 48 pilot jet and a 175 main. as I recall the stock setup for a late model CV was 42 pilot and 175 main, but they were setup lean. John, did you do the vacume piston mod and drill the slide vent out to 1/8"? I've always wondered if that mod would help raise the piston better....Mike
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Re: What Carb for a 1952, 74" Panhead?

#7

Post by john HD »

mike,

as i recall i drilled the slide and put a yost power tube in it.

yes that did help the slide.

over all it was a pleasant set up and i put many miles on my bike that way.

nothing beats the linket for ease of adjustment.. i might be giving away 5 mpg or so but the stock bolted manifold prevents the dreaded sunday morning backfire that rips the rubber spigot adaptor i had to run with the CV.

john
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Re: What Carb for a 1952, 74" Panhead?

#8

Post by Panacea »

Yes, nothing worse than a ripped rubber, lately the press on addaptor has been offered on E-Bay for about 35 bucks which basicly makes for an S&S style mounting, except the CV will stick out a bit more with a regular O-ring manifold. I'd like to try a linkert as well, very cool looking setup...Mike
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